Back to an improved school

By Ken Johnston
Editor

After a major overhaul to Rainy River High School’s heating system and the addition of air conditioning at a price tag of more than a million dollars, one would have thought that would be the end of improvements to the school for some time. But this summer saw the Rainy River District School Board invest approximately another $500,000 in the facility.
Principal Casey Slack along with Vice-principal Jim Chorney advocated for the renovations noting, “The science labs needed to be completely refurbished,” said Slack. He also noted that the drama class and club had some identified needs for a place to hold productions.
In the past they had tied up the gymnasium for weeks to hold their shows. So the idea of taking a wall out between the former rooms one and two at the school, which were serving as a Contact North and Student Lounge, and making them usable for drama activities was born.
Also with the concerns over school security across North America, plans were also hatched to renovate the main entrance to RRHS by the office.
Rather than doing all three things piecemeal, Slack said they pushed for the board to do it all at once. It sounded like it was all going to happen earlier in the year when tenders were let for the project. But they all came in much higher than expected.
But with the pencil sharpened the green light came in late May early June and the work got started, albeit later in the year than Slack would have liked. With that in mind students returning to RRHS today will have to deal with ongoing construction for at least two more weeks as the finishing touches are put on the entry to the school and the science labs.
Once completed the main office will feature a new glassed in wall on its west side from which the secretary, Cathy Seguin, will be able to see all who enter the school. “We will be asking all visitors to sign in at the office from now on as per the Ontario Education Act,” said Slack. All other entries, will be locked during normal school hours. The main entry is also now handicapped accessible.
The office as well as the hallways received a new paint job and new ceramic tile flooring has been installed there. A new sidewalk was poured outside the entryway and eventually a stylish canopy will extend from the building over the walk.
In the hallway outside the office natural light has been allowed in using light tubes from the roof to the hall ceiling.
The new open concept drama/meeting room also has had new flooring, new windows installed and a fresh coat of paint. It also features a retractable wall so that it can be made into two rooms if necessary.
Slack said that the shop class will be adding the final feature, a specially designed stage across the north end of the room so that “Café Theatre” productions can be held there.
Just down the hall from the theatre and office/entry work in progress, are two rooms dedicated as science labs. They are very noticeable from the outside of the school as new glassed in greenhouses have been installed on the outside of the windows. “The greenhouse for the science labs ties in with one of our character goals to green the school. We want to have plants in every classroom and hallway. This way the students can grow them and learn at the same time,” said Slack.
The science labs have been completely reconfigured with new work stations (yet to be installed) that will be set up around the outside of the classroom and able to accommodate three students at each one. “This is a lot safer than the old configuration.” There will also be proper ventilation from the chemical cabinets and eyewash stations in place.
Slack said they looked at a couple of different models and chose the one that would work the best. The labs will also have new magnetic white boards. “They are two state of the art science labs which I think will provide more opportunities for them (students),” said Slack.
Another part of the project included installation of new energy efficient lighting in the gym, as well as giant ceiling fans to improve ventilation.
Also new at the school are three new teachers (watch for stories on them in the next few weeks).
“I think this has always been a very good school. Now it offers even more to the kids,” concluded Slack.